The five-day seminar runs through Friday at the university in New Haven, Conn. A group of 27 university faculty from throughout the country were chosen to participate from a pool of 66 nominations.

The goal of the seminar is to better comprehend the lived experience of slaves in the transition from bondage to freedom, according to a written release from the Mount Greenwood-based university.

“At Saint Xavier we love being able to showcase the expertise of our professors both in and outside of the classroom, which of course contributes to the relevance of our programs," said Kathleen Alaimo, interim provost for the university at 3700 W. 103rd St.

Seminar participants will examine both antebellum and postbellum narratives. The most famous pre-war narrative is that of Frederick Douglass, and the most famous post-war narrative is that of Booker T. Washington.

"This seminar will provide a great opportunity for participating faculty members to gain a better understanding of the experience of emancipation,” said Richard Ekman, president of the collegiate council.